New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-10
IA movement its fitness for the work, and the en-

ia movement its fitness for the Work, ana the en-
erry which 10 representa-
The character of Philippe Bridau has been cited
% showing Balzacs prediction for the portrayal
OF bad mon Tho criticism Is singularly
shallow and unjust. 1t Is OF the essence. OF
malefcent cotton that 1t should be more In
evidence than benefoence It's always the abb
normal that enforces attention. Life which is In
harmony with the established system which con-
forms to moral restraints which Is unsefsh. passes
unobserved. 1t Is nonconformity. lawlessness' the
aggressive energy Of undisciplined egoism, tnat
forces itself into prominence under all clrcum'
stances; that by It's disturbing action becomes con-
spicuOus that by Its indifference to the riRhtS Vi
others and its own obligations makes itself con-
tire of curious and apprehensive observation. Inc
goodness OF Joseph Bridau Is none the less real and
influential because 1t is quiet and unobtrusive; but
it Is the nature Of goodness to be quiet, and 1t Is
human nature to pay more attention to that which
Injuries than to that which benefits II.
And Bazao had purpose In writing
this story. What 1t was lie discloses In
the dedication to Charles Nodier. Perhaps" he
says II have never drawn picture that shows
moro plainly how essential to European society is
the indissoluble marriage bond. how fatal the re-
suits OF feminine weakness. how great the danger
arising from selfish interests when INDUCED without
restraint. My society which is based solely on
the power Of wealth shudder as 1t sees the I'M
potence Of law in dealing with the workings OF a
system which deihes success and pardons every
means Of obtaining It," That Is the key to the
history Of Philippe Bdau, to the pathetic story OF
Agatha to the sordid tragedy OF Jean jacques
Rouget
The book Is largely study Of French provincial!
life, The society Of Issoddun is analysed with
the authors characteristic mnuteness AS Tame
saws, he describes first the region, then
the town, then the houses, and finally
the people Nothing Is omitted which can serve to
give verlsimilitude to the picture. We are shown
the complete environment All the surroundings.
great aud small, are allowed their due weight. The
origins of rural pecuiaritics, vices customs, ten
denotes, are laid bare. We are furnished with
whatever aids to Judgment the details OF life can
afford. The miser Hochon, his pious wife, his
scapegrace wards; the dull, embruted peasant-mil-
lionaire Jean Jacques Rouget; the beautiful and
conscienceess Flore Brazier; the depraved, keen-
witted Maxence Gilet all are not merely painted
to the life, but exp AIMED and justified. The effect
of this elaboration this abundant detail. is to give
a unique force and vitality to the action The mar
rative unfods with the circumstance and precision
of history, The ineyitableness Of the development
is impressed upon us strongly. With oil the
fullness, too, there Is sense OF
compression, of compactness Nothing seems
added for effect. Everything relates to tho main
purpose distinctly. This power breathcs from
every page and the whole work is an example of
realism deserving the as the work OF no later
writer has deserved 1t.
There is In "The Two Brothers" nothing Of the
repose and poetry and beauty which pervade the
Country Doctor" 1t Is In wholly different
vein; a study of the seany side OF life, OF tho
q e ,kzI tha
existence of the modern social fabric. There are
few compensatIons OF consultations In the dark his
tory The DEVOTION patience and fidelity Of Joseph
fail to clarity the morbid VISION of the infatuated
mother until the Able Loraux, determined that
she shall not 60 blind to her grave.
roughly disillusionzes her on her deatb-bed.
though only to bring her few hours OF vain and
bitter repentance and remorse. The fate OF Phi
lippe Bridau is tragic, but he succeeds until near
the close of his career and his victims too often
in real life, remain unavenged and uncared for
But Bazac's extraordinary genius is nowhere more
signally displayed than in the manipulation OF this
pain -burdened and sinister company. and were IL
possible to move a frivolous aud self-absorbei
world by the vivid presentation OF its worst vices
and most dangerous Tendencies this story would
have been more effective than the most eloquent
pulpit admonitions. The world being what II is
contents itself in admiring the art Of tho work. and
only manifests passing inquietude by accusing of
untruthfuness to fact those parts of it which
touch most sharply upon social sores.
The translation Of Miss Wormeley Is as usual all
that could be desired. She catches the authors
spirit throughout, and gives nervous English for
his nervous French. The task she has performed so
exceliently hitherto Is difficult. No foreign writer
is harder to translate than Balzac. and no author
can be more hopelessy deadened and travestied
by a bad translate on. The skill, Judgment and in
sight shown by Miss Wormeley are indeed remark
able. and her undertaking of q work at once 30 ar
duous and honorableis Enthusiastically acase OF natu-
raj selection.